无法读取 angular2 中未定义(…)的属性 push

这是使用下面的代码时说" cannot read property 'push' of undefined "的错误

  let deal = new Deal(  5, 'afaf', 'dafa',5,23 ) 
  this.publicDeals.push( deal )   // gives a error saying Cannot read property 'push' of undefined(…)

整体情况如下所示

export class Deal { 
  constructor(
    public id: number,
    public name: string,
    public  description: string,
    public originalPrice: number,
    public salePrice: number
      ) { }    
}

另一方面，

import { Component, OnInit } from '@angular/core'; 
import { Deal } from '../deal';
import { DealService } from '../deal.service';

@Component({
  selector: 'public-deals',
  templateUrl: 'public-deals.component.html',
  styleUrls: ['public-deals.component.css']
})

export class PublicDealsComponent implements OnInit {
  publicDeals: Deal[];

  constructor(
    private dealService: DealService) {
  }

  ngOnInit(): void {    
      let deal = new Deal(  5, 'afaf', 'dafa',5,23 ) 
      this.publicDeals.push( deal )   // gives a error saying Cannot read property 'push' of undefined(…)

  }

  purchase(item){
    alert("You bought the: " + item.name);
  }
}